I don't know if I consider myself a real writer but I have been writing something from the moment I could write. I have written poems, short stories, & now have over 20 unfinished stories I'm working on. When I'm not writing I'm imagining new ideas, dreaming up better scenarios to all my stories. I do this in the car, in the shower, whenever I'm reading a book, watching a movie, & of course there's the famous waking up from a sound sleep to type a story that I conjured up in my dreams. I once sat up in bed writing 35 pages for a whole new story I'd never imagined writing before. I could use advice but I don't know where to look. I have great ideas but no experience but does that mean I can't write if I'm no editor no researcher? I have absolutely no formal education beyond high school but I know that I have talent inside myself I just have no one to turn to for advice.
Welcome to the Forums, JJN Finishing can be difficult, but I'm sure you'll find your way as you journey through these sites. Enjoy.
Hello Jenny, Welcome to the Writing Forums. Formal education beyond high school isn't necessary in becoming a good writer. But there is always learning to be done, and it never ends. No one can spoon feed knowledge anyway. All knowledge is self-acquired; all a teacher does if present knowledge on a catering tray and urge you to sample it. Posting your own work should not be the very first thing you do here. It is really worthwhile to see what other people have done to improve their writing, and see if some of it applies to your writing as well. That is part of why we require members to review other members' work before posting their own for review. On the other hand, there are no restrictions, other than content and copyright rules, on showcasing your work in your member blog. If you haven't explored the site yet, you should probably do so soon. Newcomers often gravitate to the Lounge, the Word Games, or the Review Room, but there is much more to be discovered if you poke in the corners. Remember to check out our FAQ as well, and be sure to read through the forum rules, too, to avoid any misunderstandings or hurt feelings. Respect for one another is our principal mandate. As for the Review Room, new joiners often wonder why we do things a bit differently on this site than on other writing sites. We emphasize reviewing as a critical writing skill. Training your eye by reviewing other people's work helps you improve your own writing even before you present it for others to see. Therefore, we ask members to review other people's writing before posting work of their own. The Review Room forums on this site, therefore, are true workshops, not just a bulletin board for displaying your work (and on that note, please only post each item for review in one Review Room forum). See this post, Why Write Reviews Before Posting My Work? for more information. And while you're looking around, don't forget to check out our Weekly Short Story Contest and Weekly Poetry Contest. They actually run more than one week apiece, but any member may enter, and all members are urged to vote for their favorites. Enjoy your stay here, and have fun!
